March 19, 2007

Brazil surprised by Russia' s threat to ban its meat exports
 

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry said Friday (March 16) that it was stunned by reports of Russia threatening to suspend imports of Brazilian meat because of sanitation concerns.

Russia is the main foreign buyer of Brazilian meat (mainly beef and pork), at around US$1.5 billion annually.

In 2006, Brazil's pork exports to Russia totalled US$622.25 billion, or 60 percent of pork exports revenues.

Beef exports to Russia totalled US$765 million, or 20 percent of the total exports.

The Ministry said the only information it has received from Russia about this matter is pertaining to the creation of a bi-national technical working group which is to develop digital certification of origin to prevent falsification.